LEE HILL, EX-SOLDIER FROM ARMED FORCES, JAILED IN SCOTLAND FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES

In a case that has shocked the military and local communities alike, Lee Hill, a former soldier with the armed forces, was sentenced to prison after admitting to serious allegations of child sexual exploitation. The 34-year-old, who is a father of three, was found guilty of engaging in inappropriate and illegal online communications with two young girls from Scotland.

According to court proceedings, Hill used the BBM smartphone application to initiate contact with the two girls, aged 12 and 13. The nature of their initial communication remains unclear, but it quickly escalated to sexually explicit exchanges. Prosecutor Colonel Nigel Jones, speaking at a court martial held in Colchester, Essex, explained that the police in Scotland had been alerted to the suspicious activity and subsequently contacted the Royal Military Police for assistance.

At the time of his arrest, Hill was stationed in Fallingbostel, Germany, serving with the 3rd Battalion of The Mercian Regiment. The authorities acted swiftly, arresting him on the very same day they received the tip-off. During the investigation, it was revealed that Hill had persuaded the 13-year-old girl to send him explicit selfies, including photographs of his genitals. The girl herself told police that the experience was akin to having sex, highlighting the disturbing nature of their online interactions.

The 12-year-old girl also sent Hill nude photographs, further evidencing the predatory behavior. When the Service Police raided Hill’s accommodation in Fallingbostel, they uncovered more disturbing evidence: indecent images of children downloaded from the internet. These findings confirmed the allegations of child sexual abuse and exploitation.

Hill, who is a veteran of the Afghanistan conflict, admitted to possessing and viewing various images depicting child sexual abuse. His defense lawyer, Audrey Archer, expressed remorse on his behalf, stating that Hill was deeply ashamed and embarrassed by his actions. Archer also highlighted the emotional toll on Hill’s family, noting that his long-term partner had ended their relationship, and he no longer had access to his two-year-old twins and three-year-old son. She described Hill as heartbroken and remorseful for his conduct.

Ultimately, the court sentenced Hill to four years in prison. Additionally, he will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, a measure that underscores the severity of his crimes and the ongoing concern for public safety.